Mobile 360° light system and method of cleaning the mobile 360° light system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10907802-B1
Application number	US-202016856273-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Apr 23, 2020
Priority date	Apr 23, 2020
Publication date	Feb 2, 2021
Grant date	Feb 2, 2021

Abstract

A light system a base that is configured to connect to a vehicle; a light layer that is movable into the base in a closed configuration and out of the base in an open configuration; and a cap located above the base and the light layer, the cap enclosing the light layer within the base when the light system is in the closed configuration.

First claim

We claim:

1. A light system comprising:
a. a base that is configured to connect to a vehicle;
b. a light layer that is movable into the base in a closed configuration and out of the base in an open configuration, wherein the light layer includes a plurality of light banks and a plurality of connectors spaced apart along the light layer;
c. a cap located above the base and the light layer, the cap enclosing the light layer within the base when the light system is in the closed configuration; and
a cleaning system including a fluid that cleans the light layer; and
wherein some or all of the plurality of connectors include ports and the fluid extends through the ports to clean the plurality of light banks within the light layer.

2. The light system of claim 1 , wherein the light system includes an axis and the light layer moves axially along the axis when moving between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

3. The light system of claim 1 , wherein the light system is generally circular or the light layer includes a generally circular periphery.

4. The light system of claim 1 , wherein a sleeve is located between the base and the light layer.

5. The light system of claim 4 , wherein in the closed configuration the light layer is fully or partially nested within the sleeve and the sleeve is fully or partially nested within the base.

6. The light system of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of locks connect the cap and the base so that during movement of the light system from one location to another location the cap is prevent from axially moving away from the base.

7. The light system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light banks are located around a periphery of the light layer.

8. The light system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of light banks each include one or more near lights and one or more far lights.

9. The light system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of light banks are separated by one or more of the plurality of connectors.

10. The light system of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning system includes a plurality of nozzles and the plurality of nozzles direct a fluid across the light layer.

11. The light system of claim 10 , wherein the cap covers the plurality of nozzles when the light system is in a closed configuration.

12. The light system of claim 1 , wherein the light layer provides light 360° around the light system.

13. A light system comprising:
a. a base;
b. a light layer including a plurality of lights that project light substantially around a periphery of the light system;
c. a cleaning system located completely or partially within the base, the cleaning system being configured to clean the light layer; and
d. a cap located above the light layer
wherein the light system is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration;
wherein the cleaning system cleans the light layer as the light layer moves between the open configuration and the closed configuration or while the light layer is in the closed configuration;
wherein the cleaning system includes fluid for cleaning;
wherein the light layer includes a plurality of light banks and a plurality of connectors; and
wherein some or all of the plurality of connectors include ports and the fluid extends through the ports to clean the plurality of light banks within the light layer.

14. The light system of claim 13 , wherein the light system includes an axis and the light layer, the cap, or both are axially movable along the axis into and out of the base.

15. The light system of claim 13 , wherein the cleaning system is a mechanical cleaner.

16. The light system of claim 13 , wherein the fluid is water and the water is sprayed at the light layer or extends over the light layer to remove dirt, debris, or both.

17. The light system of claim 13 , wherein the cleaning system includes a fluid reservoir that holds fluid so that the cleaning system can hydraulically clean the light layer.

18. The light system of claim 13 , wherein the cleaning system includes a plurality of nozzles and the plurality of nozzles direct a fluid across the light layer.

19. The light system of claim 18 , wherein the cap covers the plurality of nozzles when the light system is in a closed configuration.

20. The light system of claim 13 , wherein the light layer provides light 360° around the light system.

Assignees

• Valeo Vision Sas
• Valeo Vision

Inventors

• Pattison Mark
• Orisich John
• Potter Brant

Classifications

• F21V15/012 Primary

  Housings with variable shape or dimensions, e.g. by means of elastically deformable materials or by movement of parts forming telescopic extensions of the housing body · CPC title

• B60Q1/0023 Primary

  the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera · CPC title

• B60Q1/245

  Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle (adjustable headlights B60Q1/06) · CPC title

• B60Q2800/20

  Utility vehicles, e.g. for agriculture, construction work · CPC title

• B60S1/603

  the operation of at least a part of the cleaning means being controlled by electric means · CPC title